Chapter 17: Tall Pine

A turbulent gust of wind shook the branches of the trees ringing the top of the gorge. The sound reminded Tall Pine of the waves on the Lake of Shimmering Water on a stormy day. It was loud enough to mask the almost imperceptible pats of his footsteps as he slunk across the gorge. At the mouth of the passageway, he paused, looking over his shoulder. He swept the slumbering camp with his gaze, lingering on the trainee's den where he knew his nest beside his sisters was growing cold. Swallowing, he slipped through the passageway with ease, through the dirtplace tunnel, and out into the forest.

The blackness of the woods consumed Tall Pine as if the downy black wings of a raven were folding around him. Once he was out of range of Rising Water and Rabbit Nose, who were standing guard, he picked up his pace, his quickening breath forming little clouds in the frosty air. As the steep slope began to even out and the forest thickened around him, the nearly bare branches cast spiky shadows on the leaf-drowned earth.

Tall Pine slowed after a while as the familiar heavy, wet scent of mud and reeds invaded his nose. He gasped dramatically as he slipped into the water of the marsh, its icy chill penetrating him to the bone. On the other side, he hauled himself onto the bank and scrambled onto the driest part of the island (which wasn't saying much). There, in the clear space between two clumps of reeds, waited a she-cat, the white parts of her pelt glowing like an eerie spirit cat against the backdrop of blackness.

Tall Pine grinned as all of his doubts faded away. Picking up his pace again, he hurried over to touch noses with her. "Frosted Leaf. It's wonderful to see you."

"Tall Pine," Frosted Leaf exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. She leaped to her paws and hurried over to greet him. "I know it's only been a few sunrises since we've seen each other, but it is so good to see you."

"Oh my stars, I know. It feels like it has been moons, not sunrises." Tall Pine could hardly contain his smile.

"I agree. And then when I come to see you, it's like everything falls away. For all I know, several moons could pass or merely heartbeats, but before I know it, it's almost dawn." Frosted Leaf ducked her head shyly. "I have been looking forward to tonight since last time."

"Me too. The time goes really fast when we're together. So let's make the most of it." Tall Pine took a seat and cocked his head. "So, how have you been?" As Frosted Leaf's smile vanished, Tall Pine instantly felt terrible. Mouse-brain. Why in the stars did you ask her that? He berated himself as they both sat back, the unnamed issue hanging in the silence in the empty space between them.

The Clan of the Flowing Waters trainee's ears were laid back. "I've been okay. I'm better now that you're here." She flashed him a brief smile. "But it's not been the easiest time lately for our Clans."

"No, it hasn't." Tall Pine shook his head solemnly.

Frosted Leaf gazed at him uncertainly. "H-how is your Clan? I hope no one was hurt too badly or..."

"No." He smiled reassuringly. "Our healer, Red Maple, said that everyone on the patrol will be fine. Passing Storm, one of our younger hunters, was injured pretty badly, though, but Red Maple is keeping an eye on him." He dropped his gaze, his whiskers twitching as he hesitated for a few heartbeats. Should I tell her? I don't know-she seems to be feeling bad enough as it is. But I want to talk to her about it. "My sister was also in the battle-Spotted Owl."

Frosted Leaf's owl-like eyes widened as the color left her face. "Spotted Owl? Oh no. Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she wasn't injured too badly. She just aggravated her old injury that she got from being imprisoned by the Bands. But I'm still worried about her."

Frosted Leaf slipped to the young tom's said, laying her tail on his shoulder. "Tall Pine, I am so sorry for what my Clan did. It never should have happened, especially not right now." She swallowed, glancing over her shoulder into the dark reeds as if she was afraid someone in the silent, empty forest would overhear her. "I want you to know that I had no part in this. I didn't even know that it was happening until the patrol returned to camp. Hardly any of my other Clanmates did, and many were shocked and outraged when they found out." She tipped her head as she lowered her voice. "Not everyone supports what Gray Moon is doing. We-I-may agree with some of his ideas, but I do not agree with his decision to attack your Clan."

Tall Pine released a breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding. "I never thought that you had a role in it or supported him. But thank you."

Frosted Leaf took a step back, looking him in the eye. "I've given your question a lot of thought since you asked me a few times ago. Like I said then, Gray Moon is my chieftain, and I have to follow his orders. However, I know, like you've said, we can't fight amongst ourselves at the same time as we fight the Bands. Your Clan, my Clan, and everyone we love will not survive if we go on like this."

"I know." Tall Pine nodded gravely, not daring to allow hope to fill his heart. Could she actually be saying what I think she's saying?

The blue-eyed she-cat's expression twisted into a guilty wince as she turned away. "After my Clan attacked earlier, cats have already gotten hurt. Including your sister." Her shoulders rose and fell as she drew in a deep breath before she turned back around. "So, while I have to follow my chieftain's orders, I have also come to realize that I have a duty to my Clan and what is right. To answer your question, yes, I want to help you investigate to find out why Gray Moon is doing this, so we can put a stop to it."

Tall Pine grinned, giddy with excitement before the reality of what they were undertaking sank it. "That's fantastic news. I'm so glad."

Frosted Leaf returned his smile though her brow was furrowed, and she bit her lip, still looking a little hesitant and uneasy at the idea.

Tall Pine placed his right forepaw over hers. "We are doing what is right for our Clans. Gray Moon has already ordered your Clanmates to attack my Clan once. He's not going to stop. Mossy Moon has decided not to respond for now, but if he continues, with the pressure from my Clanmates, she won't be able to hold out forever. This could evolve into a war between our Clans. Cats on both sides, including innocent kits and elders and those we love, will get hurt. We're doing this to protect our Clanmates."

Slowly, Frosted Leaf nodded, her expression relaxing. "Yes, we are."

"So, the next time we meet, would you want to begin?" Tall Pine asked, hopefully.

Frosted Leaf thought for a heartbeat. "Sure."

Tall Pine nodded, satisfied, but in the content, another concern bubbled to the surface. "Frosted Leaf, can I talk to you about something?

The pale gray she-cat sat down, sweeping her tail around her paws. "Always. What is it?"

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It's about my sister, Spotted Owl. I'm worried about her."

"Why?"

"Well, she-" Tall Pine started but stopped, hesitating. How much should I tell her? I don't want to reveal too much-she's still from another Clan-the one who just made us their enemy. But she's also my friend. I trust her, he decided. Besides- he heaved a sigh, his worries weighing him down as if a mountain of stones was piled on his shoulders. -I need to talk to someone about it. He cleared his throat. "Well, as I'm sure you know, a Band cat-Sharp-showed up at our border just about half a moon ago. He claims that he came to ask for asylum, and Mossy Moon allowed him to stay with our Clan. Spotted Owl has been spending a lot of time with him, guarding him, to make sure he doesn't try anything."

"Wow," Frosted Leaf said, her eyes round. "That's brave of her." She cocked her head. "So what's the problem?"

"This isn't the first time that this has happened," Tall Pine blurted out. At the hunter trainee's confused look, he tried to explain. "When the patrol from the Bands first came to the Valley all those moons ago, Sharp was one of the cats who stayed with our Clan. Actually, we found them in the first place because they saved Spotted Owl from an eagle. After that, she wanted to get to know Sharp better, so they got closer, eventually becoming inseparable."

"Oh," Frosted Leaf breathed.

"Yes." Tall Pine's voice hushed. "When they betrayed us, Spotted Owl was destroyed. She trusted Sharp and looked up to him as a role model. He was her best friend. But she had to watch as he killed Scattered Leaves, our Clanmate. She had to fight him in the battle at the Gathering. He was also one of the ones who helped take her prisoner. The Bands have put us all through so much but especially Spotted Owl because of Sharp. But now, she's spending time with him again, but I don't believe it's because she's guarding Sharp. I know how much he hurt her, so I don't believe that she would put herself through that again. There has to be some other reason. But I don't know, and it's driving me crazy."

Frosted Leaf tilted her head, listening quietly.

The black and white tom rose to his paws and began to pace, the mud squelching under his feet. His thrashing tail brushed the reeds. "But no matter the reason, I don't trust Sharp. I don't believe that he came here for asylum. I know that there is something more. Something that he's hiding. He is a part of the Bands' plan to get revenge-I know it. And with my sister spending so much time with him, maybe even beginning to trust him again, she's just going to…" He trailed off, his throat closing up as fear washed over him. The thought appeared to him, clear as the dawn, the reason behind all of his worries. Since she's spending so much time with Sharp, and he's up to no good, he will hurt her. I don't want her to get hurt again.

"Have you tried talking to Spotted Owl about this?"

"Of course," Tall Pine snapped. He whirled around, his tail lashing out and nearly cutting a reed in half. At the pale gray she-cat's startled expression, he forced his fur to lay flat. "I'm sorry. I'm frustrated because I've tried talking to her, but she won't listen. Whenever I bring it up, Spotted Owl changes the subject or dismisses me. She keeps avoiding me and pushes me away. I've tried confronting her about it, but she gets angry. No matter what I do, she just pushes me away."

"Why do you think she's doing that?"

Tears pricked the corners of Tall Pine's eyes. He bit his lip as he ducked his head. His voice came out in a whisper. "I know it's kind-of mouse-brained, but I can't help but worry that she's falling in again with Sharp like she did last time. This was almost exactly what she did; got angry, kept secrets, and pushed me away when I'm trying to help her. I know it's unrealistic given everything that's happened, but it's the only thing I can think of."

Without a word, Frosted Leaf plopped herself down next to him. He sagged against her, his taller form nearly dwarfing her as she curled her tail around his side. His tears began to flow freely, like a river breaking free of a dam, releasing all of his worry, stress, and confusion that he had been holding inside. Sobs wracked his body, so his flank touching Frosted Leaf's vibrated. She rubbed her tail up and down in long, soothing strokes against his other side until his sobs subsided.

As Tall Pine sniffled, blinking away the remaining tears, the hunter trainee retracted her tail and stood, moving around to his front so she could look him in the eye. "Tall Pine, based on what you told me, your fear of why Spotted Owl is spending so much time with Sharp is legitimate. But ask yourself, could it really be true?"

He stared at her blankly.

"I mean, you know your sister. You wouldn't be feeling like this if you didn't love her. So look deep within yourself, think clearly, and ask yourself the question; is there any possibility that your fear could be true?"

Tall Pine furrowed his brow as he thought long and hard. His shoulders tensed as worry rose inside him once more. I can't shake the concern that Spotted Owl is falling in with Sharp again. Everything that she's doing reminds me so much of last time. I want to protect her. What am I going to do if she's actually-stop. He cut himself off, giving himself a mental kick. Don't be cloud-brained. Frosted Leaf said to try to think clearly. I'm definitely not doing that right now. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, trying to banish his worries to the darkest corner of his mind. Is there any possibility that my fear is real? That Spotted Owl could be falling in with Sharp again?

The young tom's eyes snapped open. "No." He let out a huge sigh, relief washing over him at the sudden clarity. "No, there is no possibility that Spotted Owl could be falling in with Sharp again. He hurt her too much, and she is smart and capable. She knows better."

Frosted Leaf's expression broke into a smile. "There you go. See, sometimes you have to let go of your worries, try to think clearly, and the answer will be right in front of you. You love Spotted Owl, and I understand that you want to do everything you can to protect her. But it sounds like she does not want to talk or might not be able. So, you have to trust her. I know you do. I'm sure that she will talk to you when she's ready. In the meantime, you have to stop letting your worries get the better of you, and use your brain." She leaned forward and gave him a boop on his head.

"Did you just boop my head?" Tall Pine asked, pretending to be insulted.

"What can I say? Your head is very boop-able." Frosted Leaf shrugged, her eyes twinkling.

"I'm going to get you for that." Tall Pine dropped into a crouch, wiggling his hindquarters before he pounced on his fellow hunter trainee, but she slipped out of his reach just in time.

"You'll have to be faster than that," Frosted Leaf called over her shoulder as she turned on her heel and sprinted away into the reeds.

Tall Pine grinned, a laugh bubbling inside of him as he dashed after her. Gray reeds bent and waved as he plowed through them, chasing the pale gray tail and the watery-blossom scent all over the island. The burning in his muscles, pounding of his heartbeat, and thrill tingling inside him scattered his stress and worries like dried leaves, making him feel lighter with every paw-step. His lips curled into a smile as he pushed his legs faster, gained on Frosted Leaf, nearly catching up to her. Almost there.

Just when Tall Pine was a fraction of a paw-step away, so close he could almost feel her fur brushing his nose, the pale gray she-cat veered to the left, escaping his clutches once more. With a growl of frustration, he slowly, clumsily trying to follow her, only to skid to a stop as she plunged into the water.

"Oh, come on," Tall Pine called, pacing back and forth along the bank, grimacing as the chilly water lapped at his paws. "Now, this just isn't fair. You can't use your Clan's skill."

Frosted Leaf glanced over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming in a challenge as she merely waded deeper, the inky-black water covering her shoulders. "It's not my fault that you forest cats don't like getting your paws wet."

Tall Pine continued to pace. "Come on out so I can get you."

Frosted Leaf winked. "If you want me, you're going to have to come and get me." Taking a gulp of air, she ducked her head beneath the waves.

Oh, this is so cloud-brained, Tall Pine thought. I cannot believe that I'm doing this. He cleared his throat. "Okay, I'm coming." Bracing himself, he charged into the water, only to stop short in water barely as deep as his belly, his eyes bulging. "Oh, my stars. I forgot how cold this is." He paused, blinking as he realized that Frosted Leaf had not resurfaced. "Frosted Leaf?" He took a step forward, the coldness forgotten. "Frosted Leaf," he said again, anxiousness rising like the water inside him. He looked frantically around, but all he saw was the death-black water, the reflection of the crescent moon in the cloud-dappled sky dancing on its calmly rippling surface. Oh no. Where is she? Is she-

"Aha!" A dark figure suddenly launched itself out of the waves less than a tail-length from Tall Pine, showering him with frigid water. The black and white tom leaped backward, his fur standing on end as if he had just been struck by lightning. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he gaped at the sodden figure standing before him, his mind numb with shock. He stared until the figure threw its head back, a laugh bubbling from her mouth. Frost-Frosted Leaf?

"Oh, my ancestors," Frosted Leaf giggled, her entire body shaking. "The look on your face."

As the shock wore off, Tall Pine smiled. He tipped his head back, rolling his eyes, but a laugh escaped his lips. "I cannot believe you. You scared me half to death."

"I know," Frosted Leaf said, shooting him a devious smile. "But it was worth it."

Tall Pine blinked as his laughter faded, realizing that he was still standing in belly-deep water. "Mouse-dung," he cursed, darting toward the shore and scrambling up onto the island, his teeth chattering. He sent an accusing glance over his shoulder. "I cannot believe that you got me in there."

Frosted Leaf pressed her lips together, trying to stifle it, but she burst out laughing once more. After a few heartbeats, she collected herself and joined him on the shore. "I had a great time tonight," she murmured, touching her nose to his shoulder. "I enjoy spending time with you."

Tall Pine met her eyes, staring into the deep blue depths like the lake's clear waters sparkling under sunhigh sun. "Me too," he breathed. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the moon's reflection in the water. His head jerked up, alarm pulsing inside him as he took in the setting moon suspended above the Dusk Mountain and the brightening sky above the Dawn Mountain. "Oh, no. We need to go."

"Frog-dung. I can't believe how late it is."

Tall Pine looked over his shoulder back up the Dawn Mountain, toward the stone gorge, and then back at her. "Yeah. So, do you want to meet again in three sunrises?"

The pale gray and white she-cat smiled warmly at him. "I'm looking forward to it." She closed the distance between them in three strides and pressed her nose to his. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too." Tall Pine turned to go but paused and turned back. "Frosted Leaf?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for listening to me tonight. It helped."

She smiled over her shoulder at him. "Of course. I'll see you soon." With a wave of her tail, she vanished into the reeds, leaving the only trace of her behind as her watery-blossom scent on the breeze.

Tall Pine lingered for a heartbeat longer before he shook himself and turned to go, remembering to dunk himself in the water to disguise his scent. As his paws carried him hurriedly back up the slope toward home, two thoughts were at the forefront of his mind. I wonder what we'll discover when we investigate? If that's not the reason, why is Spotted Owl spending so much time with Sharp?

Hi everyone! Here's another chapter-a lot faster than the last one! This one actually didn't take too long to write though it is about the length of my other (regular) chapters, I guess that's probably because I have more time due to being on school vacation (yay!). Nothing huge happened in this chapter, but several important obvious and more subtle things did happen, so be sure to take note. Anyway, I hope that you all out there who celebrate the holidays are having a wonderful holiday season!

Reviews: Theoneandonlyloneypotato - I also enjoy exploring background characters and creating their personalities and stories. I feel like it really builds the world and enriches the story. I also enjoy reading from other characters' perspectives than the main characters. It's also a nice change to write from another character's perspective and I think it's a good exercise for me as a writer. No offense taken! Feel free to yell at all of the characters you want!

Fun Fact: (kind of a follow up from the last chapter) Dewy Grass was born in a litter of four, but she is the only surviving kit. Her brother, Cloud Claw, was stillborn. Her brother, Pine Heart, snuck out of camp when he was two moons old and was taken by an eagle. Her brother, Scattered Leaves, was killed by rogues. After losing all of her brothers, she is determined to survive no matter what.

Thank you for reading!

- A Warrior At Heart